Be a Part of the AIAA Science and Technology Forum and Exposition (SciTech 2014)

13–17 January 2014, National Harbor, Maryland (near Washington, DC)

The effects of future government R&D funding, the increasing cost and complexity of design, and the challenges of maintaining an educated workforce in a rapidly-changing, technology environment have been identified as critical topics for the future of aerospace. AIAA SciTech 2014 combines more than 10 individual technical events into one – all for a single registration fee – making it more dynamic, more broadly relevant, and ensuring that the scope and content complies with new travel and mission critical policy requirements for government agencies. It brings together government, academic, and industry leaders who influence the future of aerospace for engaging discussion and collaboration, as well as researchers from more than 400 government, academic, and private institutions in 45 countries to share more than 1800 technical papers on 300 high-impact topics that will advance aerospace science, technology, and exploration. Save when you register by 16 December 2013!

Official Presentation Takes Places in April at the AIAA Aerospace Spotlight Awards Gala

AIAA is pleased to announce the 2014 AIAA Fellows and Honorary Fellows. Presentation of the new Fellows and Honorary Fellows will take place at the AIAA Aerospace Spotlight Awards Gala, Wednesday, 30 April 2014, at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center, in Washington, DC. The title of Honorary Fellow, the highest distinction conferred by AIAA, is granted to preeminent individuals who have long and highly contributory careers in aerospace, and who embody the highest possible standards in aeronautics and astronautics.

Discusses the Importance of Students and Young Professionals to the Aerospace Industry

Dr. Sandra H. Magnus, the executive director of AIAA, spoke at the San Diego Wind Tunnel in San Diego on Friday, 6 December 2013, from 1800 – 2000 hrs. Dr. Magnus discussed the critical role that students and young professionals play in strengthening the aerospace industry. Dr. Magnus also talked about her experiences as an astronaut and as a former resident of the International Space Station (ISS).

Recently, Dr. Sandra H. Magnus, the executive director of AIAA and a former NASA astronaut, as well as John Rose, chief of staff, office of the Vice President, Engineering & Mission Assurance at Boeing, and AIAA’s deputy director of public policy for western states, participated in the 15th Annual FIRST® LEGO® League (FLL®) Championship Tournament, which took place Saturday and Sunday, 7 and 8 December, at LEGOLAND California Resort. The event competition welcomed 112 teams comprised of more than 1,100 students, ages 9 to 14, who demonstrated their problem-solving skills, creative thinking, teamwork, competitive play, and sportsmanship.

(Pictured: AIAA Executive Director Sandy Magnus welcomes FIRST LEGO League team members and their parents to the start of the robot competition in the LEGOLAND California theatre. Photo courtesy of Sandy Huffaker.)Full Story and Photos >

AIAA offers scholarships that help fund degree programs, connections that help you meet the people you really need to know, and opportunities for professional recognition while you’re still in school. For more information visit www.aiaa-awards.org/awards.

In Search of the Next Impossible Thing

AIAA is celebrating you, the aerospace professional! We celebrate your unending thirst for knowledge, your tenacity in solving the seemingly unsolvable, and your steadfast commitment to using your skills and knowledge in an endless quest to learn more about the universe we inhabit, while improving life for all of humanity.

How are we celebrating you? Through an ongoing campaign highlighting the aerospace community’s accomplishments, so that the public knows just how important a role you play in making all our lives better! To see what we mean, watch our new video “In Search of the Next Impossible Thing,” and take a moment to celebrate yourself, your peers, and our global community!

Don’t forget to add @aiaa.org as an approved email sender to ensure that you receive all of the latest information from AIAA. Also, if applicable, check with your corporate IT department to make sure @aiaa.org emails are white-listed.

Conferences and Events

2014 AIAA Associate Fellows Dinner

165 Institute members have recently been elected to the grade of Associate Fellow. These new Associate Fellows will be inducted during the Associate Fellows Dinner, which will be held Monday, 13 January 2014, at the Gaylord National Hotel and Convention Center, National Harbor, MD.

Each year, the Institute recognizes exemplary professionals for their accomplishments in engineering or scientific work, outstanding merit and contributions to the art, science, or technology of aeronautics or astronautics.

Please support your colleagues, and join us for the induction of the 2014 Associate Fellows. Tickets to this celebrated event are available on a first-come, first-served basis and can be purchased for $100 via the AIAA SCITECH 2014 registration form or on site based on availability. Business attire is requested.

Every year the AIAA Foundation sponsors the winning students from the AIAA Foundation Regional Student Paper Conferences in order to convene at a central location and compete in the AIAA Foundation International Student Conference. The first-place winner from each region will give presentations along with the winner from every other region. The papers are evaluated for technical merit, and a group of judges also evaluates the oral presentation given. The winners receive a monetary prize.

There are four categories in the International Student Paper Conference: Master, Undergraduate, Team, and Community Outreach. This year the presentations will be given in conjunction with the AIAA SciTech Forum, 13–17 January 2014, in National Harbor, MD.

AIAA's Rising Leaders in Aerospace Forum taking place during the 2014 AIAA SciTech Forum provides a forum for young aerospace leaders, ages 35 and under, to learn from and engage with others. The Rising Leaders in Aerospace Forum offers the next generation of young aerospace leaders access to top aerospace leaders and their perspectives, and multiple opportunities for networking with those leaders and their peers.

The forum includes a reception, a keynote speaker, a speed networking opportunity, and concludes with a luncheon where a panel of young professionals will address attendees.

The reception will kick off the forum and is a perfect opportunity for young leaders to mingle with others who will be participating in the forum as either attendee, presenter, or veteran professional. The speed networking opportunity will be a great way for young aerospace leaders to meet many different professionals in the field who are from other companies and have varying levels of experience. Meeting colleagues from other companies, locales, and experience levels is always valuable. The concluding panel will provide attendees with some interesting and noteworthy insights that all attendees will find valuable.

Prithvi Lopez, president of the AIAA student branch at the University of Michigan summed up last year’s Rising Leaders in Aerospace Forum, stating: “I personally gained more in those few hours at the events than I have over the past couple of years while trying to figure out what direction I would like my career to take. I have also heard much of the same from the other Michigan students that were fortunate enough to attend as well. We have all made some lasting contacts that will serve us well for many years for career choices and career advice and are grateful for the opportunity.”

The 2014 AIAA Congressional Visits Day program is set for 12 March 2014 in Washington, DC. Attendees will have the rare opportunity to engage congressional decision makers on many topics related to critical issues in civil aeronautics, civil astronautics, and defense.

As always, our goal is to educate members of Congress, congressional staffers, key administration officials, and other decision makers about the long-term value that science, engineering, and technology brings to the Unites States. Only your participation, enthusiasm, and passion remind our lawmakers that aerospace is a key component of an economically strong and secure nation. If you are interested in the future of your profession, the advancement of technology, the furthering of scientific research, and the strengthening of our nation’s security, this event is for you! Register Today!

Explore Innovation at SpaceOps 2014

Join colleagues from around the world to "Explore Innovation" at the 13th International Conference on Space Operations, set for 5–9 May 2014 in Pasadena, CA. It’s your opportunity to share your experiences, challenges, and innovative solutions with colleagues from around the globe, and take home new ideas and new connections. Hosted by the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory and organized by AIAA, SpaceOps 2014 will bring together the space operations community to address state-of-the-art operations principles, methods, and tools.

The 2014 AIAA Space and Astronautics Forum and Exposition (SPACE 2014) will examine the impacts of space activity on society. The forum will convene a global conversation about the important role our community plays in enabling a connected culture, monitoring our planet, expanding our boundaries beyond Earth, and advancing technology and innovation to address worldwide opportunities.

The technical program will feature technical paper and poster presentations structured around 12 technical tracks (View the Call for Papers). Nowhere else will you get the depth and breadth of sessions and information-sharing on space systems, technologies, and programs!

AIAA provides an ongoing source for learning and professional development for the aerospace community. Through our Continuing Education offerings, we help keep aerospace professionals at their technical best.

The Standards Executive Council, which represents a diverse group in the aeronautics and astronautics field and oversees the development of standards at AIAA, is seeking to increase its membership.

Members are responsible for providing policy, direction, and guidance to approved consensus bodies, AIAA staff, and the AIAA Board of Directors on all issues related to the standards program, from formation of Committees on Standards to approval of standards for publication. Candidates are recommended by the chairperson (VP, Standards) and appointed by the AIAA president for a 1-year term, with re-appointments on the recommendation of the chair.

For more information or to request an application, please contact Ms. Laura McGill, VP, Standards, at ljmcgill@raytheon.com or the AIAA Program Manager, Standards at amyb@aiaa.org.

Honors & Awards

Awards to be Presented at at AIAA SciTech 2014 Forum

Awards Recognize Technical Achievements and Literary Excellence

AIAA will recognize technical achievements and literary excellence during the AIAA Science and Technology Forum and Exposition (SciTech 2014), 13–17 January 2014, at the Gaylord National Hotel and Convention Center, National Harbor, MD. A number of individuals will receive awards for technical achievements in aerospace sciences or for literary excellence at a noon awards luncheon on 14 January.

As many members are aware, a strong Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) pipeline is critical to the future of America’s aerospace industry. Efforts made in the nation’s K–12 classrooms to get a diverse group of students interested in STEM are particularly important.

In light of this imperative, the Institute has selected an impressive and inspirational individual for its December 2013 Member Spotlight: Major Tucker Hamilton, USAF. As an AIAA Senior Member, Maj. Hamilton is actively involved with the Institute as an education outreach officer, overseeing section STEM outreach efforts in the counties surrounding Eglin Air Force Base in Florida, including organizing more than 30 events in just the last few months. He is actively coordinating future STEM activities and has recently called upon other AIAA Central Florida Section members to volunteer their time by assisting in the effort. Anyone interested is encouraged to learn more here.

In addition, Maj. Hamilton has founded a non-profit organization, STEM-ED, which fulfills local educators’ Science, Technology, Engineering and Math needs by identifying local professionals – both AIAA and non-AIAA affiliated – who can volunteer to assist educators with STEM-related learning opportunities in and outside of the classroom.

This holiday season, AIAA is offering 25 of its most popular Library of Flight titles for $25 each*. The perfect gift for a budding aerospace engineer or addition to your own private collection, AIAA's Library of Flight series encompasses a wide variety of general-interest and reference books, including case studies. Appropriate subjects include the history and economics of aerospace as well as design, development, and management of aircraft and space programs. Visit AIAA's Aerospace Research Central (ARC) > for a complete list of titles.

Even More Savings - 10 for $10! New for 2013, AIAA is offering even deeper discounts on select Library of Flight books. Ten books will be offered at the low price of only $10 each! Buy now while supplies last.

*Offer valid until 18 December 2013 for members and nonmembers. Ebooks are not eligible for the promotion price.

Launching Into Commercial Space chronicles the dawn of a fast-moving commercial space age in which initiative from the private sector is launching innovation into tomorrow. With the door closed on the Space Shuttle era, the revolutionary commercial “Space Billionaires” of the 21st century are opening a new door. This is the story of the pioneers and private companies around the globe currently developing new spacecraft, planning futuristic spaceports, and seeking to offer a range of “space travel” services for all.

Space Operations: Experience, Mission Systems, and Advanced Concepts is a collection of materials presented at the 12th SpaceOps Conference, held in Stockholm, Sweden, in June 2012. From the almost 300 papers presented and discussed at the conference, those selected for this volume represent a cross section of three main subject areas: Mission Preparation and Management, Data and Communications, and Mission Execution.

This book presents the emergence of the science of aerodynamics, combining modern views with those of Kutta and Prandtl, among others. It provides access to classic works, some of which have never before been published in the English language, to emphasize the evolution of aerodynamics, particularly theoretical aerodynamics, in the 20th century.

The December 2013 issue of Aerospace America is now available online for AIAA members. Don‘t miss this month's issue, “Budget Battles, Test Flights, Lawsuits...2013 In Review,” featuring articles from AIAA's Technical and Program Committees highlighting significant developments in the industry. From Adaptive Structures all the way through Weapon System Effectiveness, every major topic is covered.

To access the December issue of Aerospace America visit www.aiaa.org/myaiaa, log in, and navigate to “Access Publications & Materials” and select “Aerospace America.”

Career Resources

The AIAA Career Center has the most comprehensive career and recruiting tools for the aerospace industry. Set up an account today and gain access to a variety of aerospace job postings, salary information, professional career timelines and much more! Also, Career Resources for job seekers is now available via the AIAA Career Center.